Local artist's tortoise design hopes to raise awareness of homelessness

Thursday 04 May 2023

Homeless charity Sanctuary Trust will feature on Durrell’s Tortoise Trail this summer with a design created by a local artist to help to put Jersey’s hidden homeless issue on the map – literally.

Thanks to the generosity of a local couple, the homelessness charity will be able to use the symbolism of the tortoise with its home on its back to raise awareness of the men supported by Sanctuary Trust –which is Bailiwick Express and Connect Magazine's partner charity this year.

Donors Richard and Debbie Prosser have sponsored a tortoise for Durrell's Tortoise Trail as a way of supporting and raising awareness for both charities. Richard is Durrell’s Chef de Gardien and Debbie has been a Sanctuary Trustee since 2021.

 

 

 

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Debbie explained: “When we heard about Tortoise Takeover, I immediately thought of the obvious symbolism of the tortoise with its home on its back and the men we support at Sanctuary Trust, who often come to us with their belongings in nothing more than a bag.

"As supporters of both Durrell and Sanctuary Trust, my husband and I felt this was a perfect opportunity to raise awareness about both charities’ respective environmental and social plights.”

Sarah Tumelty, Sanctuary Trust’s General Manager, added: “This is such a thoughtful and generous gesture, which will help put Jersey’s hidden homeless issue and the work we do at Sanctuary Trust quite literally on the island map.

"It’s also going to be a great source of excitement and engagement for our residents who can really feel a sense of pride and ownership for our tortoise. We are hugely grateful to the Prossers and to Durrell for including us in their incredible trail.”

Local artist, Lisa MacDonald created the design for the tortoise.

Although the final designs are kept secret until the trail begins on 1 July, Lisa shared her inspiration: “My piece is called 'In a beautiful world, everyone has a home' and I specifically designed it with homelessness in mind.

"So, I was so delighted when Debbie and the team at Sanctuary Trust chose my tortoise. It is the perfect fit and totally in-keeping with my design concept. Being able to raise awareness through my art really resonates with me and it is wonderful to be able to do this for two charities.”